Potter’s street in Bangalore is gearing up for Deepawali, the festival of lights. Potters’ street in urbanised Bangalore has kept its identity intact since many years. This small lane in Bangalore’s cantonment, which was part of the colonial history even today dazzles with potters and skilled artists.
The skilled and traditional potters are busy making colourful diyas (lamps) and other artifacts in their continued effort to keep in tune with the festival demand. Social media is also playing a role in making this small street a happening place for Deepawali.
Potters street in Frazer town is in the heart of Bangalore. Around 40 traditional potters’ families live here to light up the festive celebrations in Bangalore. It was formed years ago when Government decided to give a piece of land as lease to a group of 20 families for making potteries. The profession has been carried on for three generations and now it is buzzing with variety of diya’s for Deepawali.
According to Chandrashekhar, a traditional third generation potter who is busy making colourful lamps for the festival wants the generation next to continue with this tradition. He feels even though the souring prices has affected their business, people are coming to encourage them. Chandrashekhar, a trained potter has been making diyas and other decorated artifacts feels it was tough for him in this busy metropolis but the street enlivens the city before the festival.
His wife Sumitra who works in the workshop says they do lot of new designs to attract the customers. She finds they were finding competition from machine made diyas which is flooded in the market.
According to Nanjundappa, a potter and an office bearer of Kumbara Karakushala Kaigarika Sahakara Sangha (potters association) says getting mud has become a major problem as the city has gobbled up all the surrounding tanks and lakes .
Even though the rising prices has dampened the spirit of festivity, Bangaloreans still keep their date with this tiny lane as part of a tradition. For Sneha, a software professional the pottery street offered her a new space in urbanised Bangalore. She said, “ It’s away from IT and computers. People are at work here. The wheels making pottery is a great absorbing space for me.” Pottery street with full of vendors and wheels making traditional pottery is still has a space in the growing metropolis.